soHo, the boho chic neighbourhood in lower Manhattan, central New York, and home to the artistic crowd of the city, has some real gems when it comes to unique New York accommodation, with an array of apartments come studios and artistic spaces available. SoHo is an excellent place to stay if you want an insight into life as a New York artist - or if you just want to be right in the heart things in the city centre. SoHo has become a district characterised by entertainment, and as its sister neighbourhood in London, home to the city’s ‘Red Light District’. Due to its location just north of Chinatown and west of Little Italy, SoHo has risen in popularity as the latest trendy neighbourhood of New York. It can be hard to find accommodation here unless you know where to look.
Where to Stay
Known for its cobbled streets, paved sidewalks and iron-clad architecture, SoHo has become more gentrified over the last decade, with many wealthy residents replacing the poorer artists who originally moved into the area, and turning many of the large studio apartments into modern-day open-plan living spaces. If you’re looking for a taste of life as a high-earning New York professional, you can find many fashionable, artsy SoHo apartments on Wimdu.
Studios and Apartments
With a host of empty manufacturing lofts, boasting tall ceilings and large windows perfect for artist’s studios, the main draw of SoHo truly is its accommodation. This is the reason so many of the city’s artists moved to the neighbourhood in the 1970’s. The cast-iron architectural influence is evident in many of the buildings, and although this is the reason they were considered unattractive for commercial purposes, the spacious studios and loft spaces inside make perfect holiday getaways for those that want a little extra in the city centre. Some even like the cast-iron decorative front. If you’re looking for a place to stay in SoHo, Wimdu has an excellent selection of studios and apartments in the neighbourhood.
Fun Facts
- The name SoHo actually refers to the area’s being situated ‘SOuth of HOuston’, as well as a reference to its sister district in London.
- The neighbourhood of SoHo was originally farmland.
- Following the establishment of the Red Light District, SoHo temporarily became an industrialised wasteland.
- The population of SoHo has grown rapidly over the last few decades, with a population now of around 13,310 residents.
- The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District became a Landmark under Preservation in 1973 and declared a historic landmark five years later.
- SoHo is a relatively small neighbourhood consisting of only about 500 buildings.
What to See and Do
SoHo is a stone’s throw from all the best that New York has to offer. If you’re renting an apartment in this area, you really are in the heart of things.
Shopping
The streets of SoHo are filled with shopping activity during the day, with a mixture of artsy boutiques and large commercial establishments drawing affluent New Yorkers from all sides. The neighbourhood is actually known for its mix of eclectic and commercial shopping opportunities.
Nightlife
The great thing about renting an apartment in SoHo is that you can enjoy the nightlife of the surrounding neighbourhoods, without sacrificing on space. The bar and restaurant scene in SoHo itself is expensive however, catering for the rich and elite who have moved to the area. If you like French food, Balthazar Restaurant is renowned for its sea bass, and Pegu Club is famed for its excellent cocktails. If you prefer a quieter scene though, why not make like one of the artists, open a bottle of red and invite a few guests round to enjoy the rooftop views from the comfort of your own SoHo studio.
Art
As the artistic neighbourhood, there is plenty of art to see and experience in SoHo. Private galleries pepper the area, such as the Deitch Project, the AFA and the Staley-Wise gallery, and if you are a film buff, there is the Film Forum and Angelika Film Center.
Getting Around
Renting an apartment in the centre of SoHo means that you have great access to all of New York’s best attractions and sights. You can get around the city easily by subway, taking the A/C/E, 1/2/3, R/W, N/R/Q/W or J/M/Z through the city’s most well known streets or, if you tend to favour exploration by foot, you will find that most places of interest are easily accessible by just a short walk or bike ride. SoHo is the perfect spot to enjoy New York at its very best!